Calls Grow for New Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Ahead of November

As the November general election approaches, some Manatee County residents are calling for a change in leadership at the Supervisor of Elections office, expressing concerns about the current official's ability to oversee a fair election.

Joe McClash, a former longtime Manatee County commissioner, has been vocal in his criticism of James Satcher, the recently appointed Supervisor of Elections. Last week, McClash launched a petition urging Governor Ron DeSantis to remove Satcher from office. The online petition has quickly garnered over 1,800 signatures, with many signatories leaving comments expressing their own doubts about Satcher’s suitability for the role.

"People don’t trust this man to be our Supervisor of Elections officer going into the general election," McClash said. He argues that Satcher has displayed a partisan bias, which could undermine confidence in the electoral process. "We need a Supervisor of Elections officer that is nonbiased and will have a fair election."

McClash, who identifies as a Republican, pointed out that concerns about Satcher are not confined to one political party. "Yes, I am a Republican, and many Republicans are saying the same thing," he noted. In Manatee County, registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats, making the issue particularly significant in this predominantly conservative area.

Satcher was appointed by Governor DeSantis in April, following the departure of the previous Supervisor of Elections, Mike Bennett, who stepped down for personal reasons. McClash has criticized the governor’s choice, arguing that Satcher lacked the necessary experience to run the office effectively. "The governor appointed somebody that had no experience running a business, no experience running an election, wasn’t a certified elections person," McClash said.

Concerns about Satcher’s leadership intensified after the recent primary election, when four workers from the Supervisor of Elections office were no longer employed. Vote-By-Mail Tech Mark Darnell quit on election day, though the reason for his departure remains unclear. He was allowed to remain in another department temporarily to help manage the busy primary period. Voter Services Manager Chris Palmer was also relieved of his duties after the election, though no explanation was provided. Additionally, the office confirmed that the services of two longtime temporary employees were no longer needed but did not specify why those individuals were let go.

Governor DeSantis addressed the situation during a news conference in Polk County on Wednesday, deferring the issue to voters. "I mean, obviously people lose an election, and then they’ll have someone else come in on the heels of that," DeSantis said. "It seems to me the voters will take care of that one way or another."

McClash has suggested that Scott Farrington, who defeated Satcher in the primary, should take over the office. However, Farrington still faces a write-in candidate in November, meaning his election is not yet guaranteed.

In the meantime, former Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett has offered to step in and serve the remainder of the term, which ends in January, should the governor decide to make a change before the general election. As Manatee County prepares for November, the call for new leadership in the Supervisor of Elections office remains a contentious issue, with residents closely watching how the situation unfolds.